Bachelor [EN]: Chapter 137

Having exhausted his spirit stones, Han Li managed to gather all the raw materials for his new pill formulas. When his spirit stones ran out, Han Li gritted his teeth and sold a 400-year-old herb. He also participated in several missions to hunt down demonic cultivators, collecting the rewards and their spoils to replenish his spirit stones.

In the process, he relied on several talismans and the power of the Great Connection [a technique that allows one to sense danger] to flee whenever he encountered a Foundation Establishment cultivator in the late stage. If he faced cultivators in the early or middle stages, he would take their lives. After a year of this, Han Li had become somewhat known among the Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Seven Great Sects.

Now, no one in the Yellow Maple Valley was unaware that he, a mere mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, had returned after killing dozens of demonic cultivators in a row.

Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly caught a scent that tickled his nose, causing him to stop in his tracks.

Turning his head towards the scent, he saw a cold-faced female cultivator standing right behind him. Surprisingly, it was Senior Sister Jin, with whom he had a deep connection.

The familiar scent, along with the hot and stimulating memories of that night, stirred him.

He hadn’t seen her since the Forbidden Trial [a dangerous competition or test] and didn’t even know she was in the camp.

“Fifth Uncle, over here!”

Senior Sister Jin glanced at Han Li with a calm expression. Then, she immediately handed her spoils to the plump Brother Jin.

“Haha! I was just in need of these, and Jiaotian came at the perfect time!”

Brother Jin was delighted to see Senior Sister Jin, his jowls shaking as he laughed.

‘Fifth Uncle?’

The way Jin Jiaotian had just addressed the plump Brother Jin felt strange. He had never imagined that Brother Jin, with whom he had built a friendship for nearly half a year, was her family elder.

Judging by her mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, she must hold a certain position in her family.

After initially looking at Han Li, Senior Sister Jin maintained her cold expression and didn’t glance at him again, making Han Li feel a little bitter.

“Then I’ll be going, Brother Jin. I’ll visit again later!”

Having no desire to stay any longer, he immediately left the trading post. Only then did Jin Jiaotian raise an eyebrow, her cool gaze fixed on his retreating back.

“Uncle, did that coward come to buy things too?”

“Coward?”

Fatty Jin was truly bewildered by Jin Jiaotian’s words.

“The guy who was here just now!”

“Could it be… are you talking about Han Li?”

He blinked his small eyes, looking like he didn’t understand what she was saying.

“Yes, that’s him. Is there something wrong?”

Jin Jiaotian’s expression became strange at her uncle’s reaction. In fact, when she last saw Han Li during the Forbidden Trial, he hadn’t left a very good impression on her.

According to his explanation, wasn’t he just someone who hid and watched others fight, only to get lucky and reap a great harvest?

The Fifth Uncle was silent for a moment before sighing and looking at her.

“Jiaotian, you haven’t been here long enough to know. I don’t know why you judged him that way, but he’s quite famous in this battlefield. He’s someone who has killed over a dozen demonic cultivators in a row, so he can’t be a coward.

I’m even thinking of recommending him to the family head after this war. If a cultivator like him assists our family, it will be a great help in the future.”

“He killed dozens of demonic Foundation Establishment cultivators?”

Her usually cold face showed surprise and disbelief. By the time Jin Jiaotian turned her head back towards the entrance of the trading post, Han Li had already left.

After leaving the trading post, he headed towards his residence at the Ihoa Garden. He intended to pay his respects and offer his greetings as a disciple, as was customary.

Ihoa Garden was a Core Formation cultivator [a higher level of cultivation], so he was treated differently from ordinary disciples. He resided in a good location at the center of the allied forces’ formation, staying there with his wife.

Among Han Li’s seven senior brothers, the eldest was left behind at the Green Wave Cave to guard it. Except for Han Li and his fourth senior brother, Song Meng, all the others had been dispatched to other locations on different missions.

On the first day Han Li arrived, Ihoa Garden was greatly surprised to see him. It was because he had already reached the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment.

Generally, even cultivators with great talent would take more than ten years to advance from the early to mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, so Ihoa Garden was curious about the reason.

Of course, Han Li couldn’t tell the truth, so he put on an expression that he didn’t know the reason either, which frustrated Ihoa Garden. However, with the war already underway, he couldn’t just focus on his disciples.

Furthermore, he was furious about the fact that the Yeon family had colluded with the enemy and that Dong Hyeon-ah and others had fallen into enemy hands, but he didn’t blame Han Li. He knew that it was difficult for Han Li to return alive against such enemies.

As he was thinking about this, Ihoa Garden’s residence came into view. Unexpectedly, his fourth senior brother, Song Meng, was standing in front of it with his arms crossed, as if he were guarding the place. He smiled when he noticed Han Li.

“You’ve come to greet Master, Junior Brother Han!”

Han Li smiled and replied in the affirmative. After Han Li became famous, Senior Brother Song had forcefully requested a spar. After Han Li defeated him through his skillful control of his magical artifacts, their relationship had actually improved.

“Master is discussing something with guests, so you’ll have to wait outside for a bit. I was just making progress in my cultivation technique and wanted to spar, how about it?”

After explaining why he was standing guard, Song Meng made a troublesome request. Senior Brother Song had often asked for a spar since their last match.

However, Han Li was reluctant to reveal his skills or magical artifacts, so he had repeatedly refused. For that reason, Han Li could only smile wryly at Song Meng’s words, avoiding any mention of a spar.

However, he was curious about Ihoa Garden’s guests. If Ihoa Garden was ‘discussing’ something with them, they must be Core Formation cultivators.

As he was trying to gather more information, the tightly closed door opened, and several male and female cultivators walked out. Ihoa Garden and his wife were seeing them off.

As expected, they were all Core Formation cultivators, consisting of four men and three women. Unable to block their path, Han Li and Song Meng moved to the sides and bowed.

Ihoa Garden smiled slightly when he saw Han Li, and the others glanced at him before passing by.

However, one woman, whose face was covered by a veil, stopped in surprise, her eyes sparkling as she stared at Han Li.

“Does Senior Nangong know my humble disciple?”

The others noticed the female cultivator’s unusual reaction and looked at her with suspicion. Ihoa Garden was even more bewildered and asked humbly.

As the words ‘Senior Nangong’ pierced his ears, Han Li’s heart pounded and his mind went blank. Although he barely managed to maintain his composure, he couldn’t help but turn his gaze towards her.

“No, it’s just that he looks too much like someone I knew a long time ago.”

Senior Nangong erased the emotion from her eyes and returned to her cold demeanor. It was only natural that Han Li’s heart ached at those words.

“Ah, I see.”

Ihoa Garden observed Han Li’s expression but only found a calm face. The others also had expressions that said, ‘Oh, I see,’ but only heaven knew if they truly believed her words.

Senior Nangong also sensed the atmosphere but quietly left without any further explanation. The others also bid farewell to Ihoa Garden and his wife before going their separate ways. As the guests left, Ihoa Garden’s smile gradually disappeared.

“Let’s go inside! I have something to ask you.”

Han Li was also troubled by his expression, but he simply followed behind him. Beside him, his wife gently comforted Han Li and they entered the room together.

“Are you acquainted with Nangong Wan of the Eomwol Sect?”

As soon as Han Li entered, Ihoa Garden asked abruptly. Han Li realized that there was nothing he could do since Nangong Wan had already revealed her change of heart, so he nodded.

“Yes, I have met Senior Nangong.”

Ihoa Garden’s expression softened when Han Li immediately admitted it.

“Can you tell me how you know each other?”

His wife, also curious, asked first. Since Nangong Wan had denied it outright, but his youngest disciple was affirming it, there must be a reason. At those words, Ihoa Garden also nodded and looked at Han Li.

“I apologize, but it is related to Senior Nangong’s personal affairs, and I promised her that I would never reveal it, so I ask for Master and Madam’s understanding.”

With a pre-prepared excuse, Han Li very tactfully refused their request. Ihoa Garden and his wife exchanged glances, surprised by Han Li’s words. Then, Ihoa Garden calmly opened his mouth.

“If you have already made such a promise, then I cannot force you to break your word. However, as your master, let me advise you that it is best to keep your distance from someone like Senior Nangong. The Eomwol Sect is strong in techniques that captivate the mind, so you might fall into their trap without even realizing it. Still, I am relieved that you are sensible.”

Han Li, feeling much more at ease with Ihoa Garden’s words, repeatedly replied that he would keep it in mind.

Ihoa Garden’s mood improved at his polite demeanor, and he kindly gave Han Li advice on his cultivation. Han Li also took his teachings to heart.

After half a day, Ihoa Garden seemed quite satisfied after hearing the insights Han Li had gained from his cultivation. Then, he brought up an unexpected topic.

“Han Li, I have a personal matter to ask of you. Would you be willing to do it?”

‘A personal matter?’

“If you entrust me with any task, I will do my best.”

Ihoa Garden’s mood improved even more at his unwavering answer. He paced around the room before finally speaking.

“It’s not a dangerous task. You just need to become a bodyguard (保標) [a protector or guard] and protect a certain family.”

‘A bodyguard? I have to protect people?’

He was surprised by the unfamiliar term, but he listened silently.

“Actually, I was going to send Song Meng, but recently you’ve become famous for dealing with several demonic cultivators. Ihoa Garden’s disciple is so brave, your Madam and I were greatly surprised. I heard that this story has spread to the camps of the other six sects as well.”

His master seemed to be in a very good mood. And his wife, who was listening beside him, smiled and added.

“Besides, Song Meng has been staying in the Green Wave Cave since he was young and has rarely gone out into the secular world. He is not familiar with secular affairs, so it seems you will have to take the lead this time. The people you have to protect are mortals (凡人) [ordinary humans without cultivation], after all.”

They praised him, and he smiled modestly on the outside, but he didn’t understand the story about protecting mortals.

Even if mortals were in trouble, it would be enough for a Qi Refining disciple [a lower level of cultivation] to step in. There was no reason for a Foundation Establishment cultivator like him to go.

Although he didn’t show it, Ihoa Garden had anticipated that Han Li would have such questions, so he cleared up his confusion.

“The family you have to protect are the descendants of my senior brother. His only son was not born with spiritual roots, so he settled down in the secular world and started a family. Before he died, I promised him that I would be responsible for the safety and wealth of his descendants. It was because I owed him my life.

I have been secretly helping them to enjoy power and influence for generations, and I have been dealing with any dangers in advance.

However, information has come in that the Demonic Six Sects are dispatching disciples of the lower realms to the secular world of Yue Country to deal with mortals related to our Seven Great Sects. They intend to cut off the supplies coming from the secular world.

They may have also figured out my relationship with that family, so we need someone to ensure their safety in this storm. Of course, it would be best if the relevant information was not leaked to the ears of the demonic cultivators.”

After hearing the whole story, Han Li nodded with a serious expression.

“I will write a letter to the current family head explaining the situation and your identity. He is the only one who knows the circumstances. Within the sect, we will say that you have been dispatched on a mission, so don’t worry. I will also give you a book containing information about them, so go and pack your things quickly. You must depart early tomorrow morning to arrive before any mishap occurs.”

“Yes, I understand.”

# 139